Apparatus for testing well samples



Aug. 26, 1941. P. G. EXLINE APPARATUS FOR TESTING WELL SAMPLES I Filed Nov. 10, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet l 26, 1941- P. G. EXLINE APPARATUS FOR TESTING WELL SAMPLES Filed Nov. 10, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 3 wuaxwtom Pea/ d G.

Aug. 26, 1941. P. G. EXLINE 2,254,006

APPARATUS FOR TESTING WELL SAMPLES Filed Nov. 10, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 116 107 119 125 11? w T w 42 Tfoe Aug. 26, 1941. P. G. EXLINE 2,254,006

APPARATUS FOR TESTING WELL SAMPLES Filed Nov. 10, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 LINE GASO/YfTEE Patented Aug. 26, 1941 Paul G. Exline, O'Hara Township, Allegheny County, Pa., asslgnor to Gulf Research at Development Company, Pittsburgh, Pa., 9. corpora,-

tion of Delaware Application November 10, 1038, Serial No. 239,898

8 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for testing well samples; and it is particularly concerned with a tubular heater adapted to receive a well sampler, said tubular heater having electric heating elements and a thermostat comprising a fluid-containing chamber in contact with said heating elements, said chamber being provided with a fluid-actuated electrical contact switch connected through said heating elements with variable resistance current control means, said tubular heater being rotatably mounted midway of its length, in a mounting provided with a hollow axle adapted to carry the connections from said heating elements and thermostat to said variable resistance current control means; and with a well sample testing apparatus comprising said tubular heater in combination with'a well sampler fixed therein, a bleeder head afl'ixed to said sampler and provided with a central push rod and two needle valves, said sampler being provided with a valve adapted to be opened by said push rod, a graduated separator burette connected by a tube with one of said needle valves and by another tube to a gasometer, a mercury pump connected by atube to the other needle valve, a pressure plug fixed in said heater in communication with a pressure-responsive means in said sampler, said pressure plug being provided with a hollow contact pin connected by a tube with a pressure-applying and measuring means, said pin forming an electric circuit through a volt-meter when in contact with said pressure-responsive means; all as more fully hereinafter set forth and as claimed.

In the petroleum industry, the importance of obtaining accurate data on the physical properties of reservoir fluids has been recognized for some time. These properties bear a definite relation to correct production practice and influence materially the design of flow strings and other production problems, as well as giving a basis for'a reasonably accurate prediction of the changes the fluids, both gas and oil,-in the pool will undergo throughout the life of the well. It is particularly important to know the changes in physical properties which may develop due to changes in pressure in thepool and in the flow string and the resultant changes in the amount and nature of gases dissolved in'the oil.

Equipment designed to secure representative samples of reservoir fluids has been produced heretofore. One form of such equipment which has been found'particularly satisfactory for this purpose, is the bottom hole well sampler described and claimed in U. S. Patent No. 2,099,080,

of George W. Rusler, issued November 16, 1937.

The present invention provides an apparatus for use in conjunction with a sampler, such as the Rusler bottom hole well sampler, for examination of fluid samples under closely controlled conditions of temperature and pressure which may be adjusted to correspond to the conditions of temperature and pressure under which the sample was taken. Thus by means of the apparatus of this invention the sample may be tested in the original container, avoiding the necessity of transferring it from the sampler .to another container, with the incident handling losses and resultant inaccuracies, which are an objectionv to a great many of the means heretofore used for this purpose, Furthermore the apparatus'of this invention-may be used in the field, thus eliminating the time usually "lost" in sending the sample to a laboratory distant from the production field and avoiding any necessity of using the sampler as a transportation container. l

In describing this" invention more in detail, reference will be had to the'accompanying drawings showing one form of the apparatus of the invention designed for 'use'in conjunction with ,a Rusler well sampler fabove referred to, in which- I,

Fig; 1 is a side-elevation partially i of the tubular heater. and mounting of paratus of this invention;

V Fig. 2 is a sectional view along he in 2 of Fig. 3 is arear elevation partly in section ;of the tubular heater with the bleeder head, "ejparator and'pressure plug in position;

Fig. 4 is a front view in section of the tubular heater showing a Rusler bottom hole sampler in position -with attached;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of the thermostatic control means '42 shown in Fig. 1; Fig.6 is a'wiringfdiagram of the heater, thermostat and current control means of the bleeder head and pressure plug heater;

Fig. 7 is a top plan view of the heater, bleeder head, and pressure plug assembled with the gasometer, mercury pump, dead weight tester, current control means and voltmeter;

Fig. 8 is a top plan view of the heater; Fig. 9 is a bottom plan view of the heater; Fig; 10 is a sectional view'of the pressure plug; and

, Fig. 11 is a sectional view of the drilled block 54 along the line |l-'-H shown inFig. 3.

The heater 20 shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 is formed of a central tubular heating chamber 2I adapted to receive and hold the well sampler. Surrounding the central heating chamber is an enclosed annular space 22 formed by the tubes 2I and 23 and rings 24. An opening 23 is provided in the heating chamber by coincident holes through the wall of the chamber and the surrounding tube 23. Sealing of the annular space 22 around opening 23 is maintained by a ring gasket between the tube 23 and the heating chamber 2I. The outer tube 23 is electrically insulated on its outer surface by means of enamel, mica or the like and is helically wound with resistance wires 23. ,An outer casing formed the tubular member 21, and end pieces 23 is aillxed to collar 33 and provides an enclosed annular space 23 which is filled with heat-insulating material. A tube 3| (Fig. 3) connects the opening 23 in the heating chamber and a like opening in the outer casing and prevents escape of insulating material. A clamping screw 32 is provided for holding the sampler in place.

The annular space 22 between the chamber 2| and the tube 23 is hermetically sealed, and is filled with a heat-expansible fluid. At the top there is provided a tube 35, communicating with the calibrated burette reservoir or expansion chamber 36 through a needle valve 31, so that by opening valve 31 part of the expansible fluid in the annular space 22 may be caused to fiow into the burette. By removing or adding a measured amount of fluid, the temperature at which the furnace will be maintained by the thermostat may be regulated. Burette 33 is afiixed to the outer casing of the heater and protected by the sheathing 33 having the hole 33 opposite the needle valve. At another opening in the annular space 22, a' boss 43 is afiixed to the tube 23 and communicates with a chamber H in which is the thermostatic temperature control means 42, comprising a fluid-responsive electrical contact switch.

The collar 33, aiiixed to the outer casing 21 about midway of its length, is attached to the hollow axle 43 at 43 and is provided with an opening 41 through which the wires from the heating coils, binding post 33 and thermostat 42 pass to the electrical connection 43 at the end of the axle. The axle 43 is closely fitted in a bearing 43 mounted on the plate 33' adapted to be attached to a table or other horizontal support. A set screw 3| is provided in the rotary mounting, whereby the heater may be fixed in upright position. Two spiral coils of metal tubing 32 and 53 around the rotary mounting are connected at one end to the drilled block 34 mounted on the bearing 43, and at the other end to a drilled block 33 attached to the heater casing 21.

A separator burette 63 is mounted on the side of the heater casing near the top by means of the holder 6|, plate 32 and clamps 33. This separator is provided at its top with two openings having tubing connections 33 adapted to be connected to bleeder head I43, and 33 adapted to be connected to a gasometer.

The thermostat 42 and its assembly with the tube 23 is illustrated in detail in Fig. 5. An externally threaded sleeve 13 is screwed into the boss 43, and is capped by the plug 1 I. A bellows 12 is fixed to the inner face of plug H, and at the other end to a flanged rod 13, which is axially movable through the hole 14 in plug ll.

The flanged rod is provided at its outer end rod 13 may move.

with a neck portion 13 narrower than the main body of the rod and with an insulating tip 13. A sleeve 11 engages threads on the outer surface of the sleeve 13. A plate 13 is set in the sleeve 11 and is provided with a hole 13, through which the narrow neck 13 and the tip 13 of the rod 13 extend, and serves to restrict the distance the An insulating block II is afilxed to the outer end of the sleeve 11 by the screws 32 and carries binding posts 33 and 34, to which are connected two leaves 33 and 33 which extend toward the center of the block M and overlap in spaced relation opposite the tip 13 of the rod 13. The travel of the rod -13 is so adjusted that the tip 13 will press the leaves 33 and 33 into electrical contact before axial motion of the rod is stopped by the plate 13. Greater or less travel may be permitted by rotating the sleeve 11 on the sleeve 13, so that the plate 13 is moved a greater or less distance from the plug H. A relatively fine adjustment of the temperature at which the furnace will be maintained can be made by adjustment of the sleeve 11.

A metal cap 33 is attached to the outer face of the insulating block 3| by the screws 32. This cap has engraved on its outer face a dial indicating the position of the sleeve 11 and the permissible travel of the rod 13, consequently serving as a regulator. A fiduciary line is engraved on the plate 33, which is restrained from rotating by the pin 34 in the hole 33. The plate 33 is maintained .in bearing relation to the metal cap 33 by the bearing ring 33 and screws 31. The pin 34 is capped with the screws 33 to prevent excessive travel of the plate 33. Plate 33 is provided with an opening 33 through which the conduit I33 passes, carrying the leads from the binding posts 33 and 34.

A current control box IIII (Fig. 7) containing resistances and a relay with suitable connections. is provided for use in conjunction with the heater 23 to regulate the current supplied to each of the coils in the heater. Control box MI is supplied with a six wire cable I42, having a female plug connection I33 suitable for connection with the male plug 43 on the heater mounting, and with a cable I34 for attaching it to a source of llo/volt current.

A wiring diagram of the connection to the coils and thermostat of the heater and the resistance and relay in the control box is shown in Fig. 6. The wiring in the heater is shown to the left, and the wiring in the control box is shown to the right of the diagram. The heating coils are indicated in the top, middle and bottom coils. The binding post 33 of the thermostat 42 is connected to one side of each of the three coils at I33, I33 and I31, and to the source of current through the switch I33. The binding post 34 of thermostat 42 is connected through suitable resistances to contact I33 of the relay I II, the other contact of which II I, is connected to the source of current through the switch I33. The end II2 of the bottom coil is connected through the fixed resistance II3, variable resistance II4, the relay switch H3 and the switch I33 to the source of current. The middle coil is connected from end II1. to fixed resistance II3, variable resistance m, relay switch m and switch m to the source of current. The top coil is connected from end I23 to fixed resistance I2I, variable resistance I 22, relay switch III and switch I33 to fi'r'om the bleedrjhead is connected separator" by tube I52 and valve I50'is, conthe source of current. A three pole single throw shunt switch I23 is provided for shunting out resistances H4, H8, II! and I22 when desired for rapid heating. Neon light I24 is suitably connected to glow when switch I08 is closed. Neon light I25 is suitably connected to glow when current is passing through the heater coils. A shunt switch I26 is provided for cutting out resistance I21 when alternating current is used.

I Binding post 56 on the side of the heater 20 is connected directly to a binding post I28 n the control panel.

A pressure plug III is provided, which is adapted to be inserted in sleeve II of the heater through opening 25 in the heating chamber and to be attached to the well sampler adjacent to the pressure sensitive diaphragm of the sampler. The pressure plug I3I of Fig. 4 shown in section in Fig. 10, consists of an annularcasing I32 provided at one end with a narrow neck portion I33 having an external screw thread 134, and at the opposite end with an enlarged head portion I35. Within the casing member is a hollow pin I36, slidably mounted in the insulating block I31. A backing up spring I38 maintains the pin I36 in electrical contact with the member I39, which is insulated from the casing throughout its length by the packing I40, and carries on its outer end a binding post I. A threaded opening I42 is provided, in which atube I43 connecting to a pressure-applying and measuring means through the drilled block 55, coil 52 and drilled block 54 may be fixed. Pressure applied through the opening is transmitted through the hollow pin to the pressure-sensitive diaphragm of the well sampler, and. serves to break the contact of the pin with the diaphragm.

A bleeder head I45 is also provided for use in conjunction with the heater. The bleeder head in use is ailixed'to the end of the well sampler, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. It comprises a tubular chamber I46, having an open end provided with an internal screw thread I41 adapted to be threaded on the end of .the sampler, and having at the other end a centrally locatedpush rod I48 acting through the packing gland I43, and

. twoneedle valves I50 and II opening into the chamber I46, one of said needle valves being adapted to be connected to the separator burette 60 by a tube I52, while the other is connected to nected to a mercury pumpby ub 153, as .de-

I scribed above.

In Fig. 7 there is shown the heater 20 asmbled with the bleeder head, pressure plug and control box and connectedto the. testing ap- The voltmeter paratus including agasometer, amercury pump, a dead 'weight tester and a voltmeter. The g asometer I15 is connected to the connection 66 of the separator 40 by a tube l16.' The mercury pump I11 is connected by a tube 118 to the drilled block 54 and from there throughthe .coil 53, drilled block 55 and tube I 53 tovalve I5I oi the bleeder head. .The. deadweight tester 119 is connected by the tube I80.to the drilled block 54, and from there through the con 52, drilled block 55 and tube I43 to the pressure .plug "I3I. I6I is connected by a lead to the binding post I28 in the control panel, which is connected through conduit I82 with binding post 56 on the heater jacket, which in turn is connected to binding post I of the pressure plug I3I. The other lead from the voltmeter is connected to one pole of a low voltage source 33, the other pole of which is grounded by contact with any metallic part of ,the apparatus electrically connected with the body ofplug I3I.,

post 56is also made a mercury pump by a tube I53 through the drilled block 55, coil 53 and drilled block 54.

In Fig. 4 there is shown in longitudinal section the heater 20 of Fig. 1, pressure plug I3I and bleeder head I45,'assembled with a well samplerv I60 having a pressure-sensitive diaphragm I6I in the housing'l62 into which the neck portion .133 of the pressure plug I3I- is threaded.- I The sampleris a-single -tube provided at one'end with a. valve I61 comprising valve seat I63, knife edge I64 mounted on-pushrod In testing a sample of wellfluid contained in a well sampler of the Rusler type using the apparatus of my invention, thebleeder head I is first threaded on oneen'd of the sampler I1I. Care must be taken in thisoperation to retract the central push rod I48 suflicientlyto prevent contact with the protruding end of the-rod I10 until the junction is completed. The sampler is then inserted in the heaterchamber 2| with the pressure-sensitive diaphragm housing opposite the opening 25, and is fixed in position by means of the set screw 32. ,Valve I of the bleeder head is then connected upby the tube 65 to-the separator burette .60, Valve I5I of the bleeder head is connected up by mercury pump I11. Pressure plug I3I is inserted in the opening 25 andis threaded into the housing I62and is connected with they dead weight tester I19. Electrical connection from the pressure p1ug; I3I- to binding With all the connections made and the valves I 50 and I5I open, mercuryis pumped intothe chamber I46 until a few drops spillover into the separator 6 0, indicating. that .the chamber is full. When the sampler has reached bottom hole conditions of temperature and pressure, the valve I andcvalveguide I66 and at the other-end with .a'valve 113.com-p'risingvalve seat I68, knife edge I69 mounted on pushz.rod l10uand valve guide I1I. These valves. I61'-and.: I13 are normally maintained in closed position by thespring thev ends. of thepushn'ods I65 and I10. tThe bleederheadifi is-threaded on the end of the valve guide I1 I with push rod- I48 in contactwith the end of push rod- I10, so that valve. I13 maybe opened by means of push rod I48 towefiect communication between sampler chamber I60 and chamber I46 of the bleeder head. Valve I5I assembly I12, and maybe opened by pressure on i he a s e e and. i crea ed he pr ssu lat sam le I 50 is' closed andthe'heater:jacket isrotated to invert the sampler. with weight on the dead weight testerv Pistona'djusted, until the voltmeter 1 indicates that the pressure differential, is

,just suflicient to break. contact between the diaphra m m r th sample and. g 13.65 Q; t pressure plug, mercury is pumped into the bleed- ,er head, until ,contact between the diaphragm and the pin is 're established, as,shown;;by the voltmeter indicating that the, mercury .jp s re headhas Opened the val ve I13 lbleeder head pushirod -I 48isithn .Sfiiewed inimris al u i t.-v p s onJ 'I-The -.sa p is n ready for analysis.

The sample is then thoroughly mixed by rotating the heater jacket alternately in opposite directions through eight or ten half-turns and the initial pressure, initial mercury pump reading and the injected mercury volume are recorded. One cubic centimeter of mercury is then injected,

the sample is again mixed and the new pressure,

- above the saturation point, the first liberation is performed.

This liberation is of the flash type and is accomplished by maintaining the sample above the final injection pressure by continuous injection of mercury while bleeding the sample through valve I50 into separator 60. The amount of mercury to be pumped in, in this operation, is predetermined, and after it has been injected the bleeding is continued until the voltmeter pointer indicates that the pressure in the sampler is the same as at the start of the liberation. The volume of gas liberated is measured in the gasometer I and the volume of oil is measured in the separator burette' 60 and both volumes are recorded.

A second portion of the sample is then liberated from the sampler into the separator burette. This liberation is of the differential type, in which valve I50 is opened slightly and the pressure in the sampler is reduced as the sampler fluid is liberated. The volumes of the gas and oil liberated are measured and recorded.

The same procedure is then repeated, including injecting mercury in measured increments until three or four measured injections have been made above the saturation point, a flash liberation and a diflerential liberation of a. portion of the sample, all values being'recoided as before. The process is continued until the sampler pressure has been reduced to atmospheric pressure.

The oil left in the sampler is measured by the diflerence between the sampler volume and the total volume of mercury injected. The sum of the oil left in the sampler and the total oil carried over in the flash and differential liberations is the total volume of oil in the sample. From the data thus obtained various important factors such as the saturation pressure of the well fluid, gas solubility and the like, may be determined.

Although I have described my invention particularly with reference to one form of apparatus which I have found suitable, it will be recognized that this apparatus may be modified in its details of construction, without departing fro my invention, and I do not intend that the scope of my invention shall be limited to the structural details of the apparatus herein shown, except as defined in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A well sample testing apparatus comprising a rotatably mounted tubular heater having a well sampler fixed therein, a bleeder head aflixed to said sampler and provided with a control push rod and two needle valves, said sampler being provided with a valve adapted to be opened by said push rod, a graduated separator burette connected by a tube to one or said needle valves, and by another tube to a gasometer, a mercury pump connected by another tube to the other needlevalve, a pressure plug fixed in said tubular heater in communication with a pressure-responsive means in said sampler, said pressure plug being provided with a hollow contact pin connected by a tube with a pressure-applying and measuring means, said pin forming an electrical circuit through a voltmeter when in contact with said pressure-responsive means in said sampler.

2. In a testing apparatus, a well sampler, heating means adapted to receive the well sampler said heating means being provided with temperature control means, a bleeder head on the sampler and a pressure plug adapted to be operatively connected to the sampler for indicating pressures therein while the sampler is in the heater, said heater being rotatably mounted about midway of its length.

3. Apparatus for testing samples or fluid comprising a container provided with valves and with a pressure responsive diaphragm, means for heating the container, valve operating means on the container, said last named means including a bleeder valve for removal of the contents or the container and a valve for introduction of fluid into the container, external pressure applying means aflixed to said container coincident with said diaphragm, said means comprising an electrical contact element, and electrical indicating means in circuit with said diaphragm and contact element for indicating making and breaking of the circuit between the contact element and the diaphragm.

4. In testing apparatus, a well sampler, heating means adapted to receive the well sampler and provided with automatic temperature control, a bleeder head for said sampler, tubular connections between said bleeder head and a terminal on said heater, said heater being rotatably mounted midway of its length on a suporting member, terminal means on said supporting member and flexible tubular means connecting said terminals.

5. In well sample testing apparatus, a tubular heater mounted for rotatable movement about midway of its length, means for securing a receptacle containing the sample in said heater, electric heating elements in the heater, 9. thermostat including a fluid containing chamber in said heater, said chamber being positioned between the heating elements and the receptacle, an electrical contact. switch operated by said thermostat and connected electrically in a circuit including said heating element and a variable'resistance current control means, fluid pressure delivery means on the heater for delivery of fluid pressure to the receptacle and means for establishing electrical communication with the heater through said rotatable support.

6. Apparatus for testing samples of fluid comprising a valve container adapted to receive a sample of fluid to be tested, means in the side wall of the container responsive to the pressure of the fluid therein, a heater for the container, a thermostat in the heater for controlling the temperature thereof, said thermostat containing an expansible fluid, a burette, a conduit connecting the burette with the thermostat, said conduit being provided with a needle valve for controlled delivery of expansible fluid from the thermostat to the burette for determining operation of the thermostat, said heater being provided with an opening in the'wall thereof opposite the pressure responsive means on the container and means adapted for connection with said pressure responsive means through the opening in the heater ror determining the pressure or the fluid in the container.

'7. In apparatus for testing fluid in a valved ieceptacle, a bleeder head adapted to be secured to said receptacle, said bleeder head being provided with means for opening the valve of the receptacle and with valve means for introduction and removal of fluid to and from the receptacle, a heater adapted to receive the receptacle, means on the heater for releasably securing the receptacle within the heater, a support for the heater, said heater being rotatably mounted about mid-Way of its length on said support, a pipe coupling member secured to said heater, pipes connecting said member with the valves in the bleeder head, a pipe coupling member on said support, and means for establishing fluid communication between said pipe coupling members.

8. Apparatus for testing samples of fluid comprising a tubular heater mounted at a point about mid-way of its length for rotation in a vertical plane, a removable valved container in the heater, said container being adapted to receive a sample of fluid to be treated and being provided with a pressure responsive diaphragm, an opening in the heater adjacent the pressure responsive diaphragm, a fluid pressure gage, means connecting said gage through the opening in the heater with the pressure responsive diaphragm for determining pressure of fluid in the container, container valve operating means including valves for introduction and removal of fluid to and from the container, a conduit terminal on said heater, a conduit connecting said terminal with one of said valves, a conduit terminal on said rotatable mounting for the heater and conduit means'connecting said terminals.

PAUL G. EXLDIE. 

